PFSCM and partners deliver autoclaves for health care waste sterilization to Senegal

by | Oct 10, 2024

Working with one of its long-term medical waste management product suppliers, the Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM) delivered several autoclaves to Senegal this year.

The Ministry of Health and Social Action of the Republic of Senegal ordered four autoclaves to shred and sterilize infectious waste before disposal at four hospitals in the country. Red-bag waste products like soiled bandages, gauze, and personal protective equipment can be shredded and sterilized to safely reduce the volume of infectious waste and inactivate it on-site.

PFSCM and the supplier collaborated and took a project-based procurement approach to manage the order and delivery. This entailed site preparation, international ocean shipping, tax waiver approval, customs clearance, in-land trucking across hundreds of kilometers, and installation and training at sites. 

Four 20-foot containers arrived at the Port of Dakar in July. Between July and October, the autoclaves were delivered and installed at four hospitals: one each in Tivaouane, Kaolack, Tambacounda, and Ziguinchor. Training on appropriate machine use was carried out at all four hospitals. 

PFSCM Client Services & Procurement Specialist Angèle Vandevoorde says PFSCM has been offering project-based procurement services for laboratory and medical equipment, medical imaging technologies, and waste management systems since 2020, and adds that waste management systems of which integrated autoclaves are a part have become increasingly important as countries continue to strengthen their emergency preparedness.

“Project management is required for the procurement, delivery, and installation of machines like autoclaves which are expensive, heavy to move, and may have special site and usage requirements to ensure optimal performance. 

“In the case of autoclaves, the machines require softened water and an uninterrupted power supply to produce the correct vacuum, temperature, and amount of steam. Care must also be taken during transportation and installation to prevent damage to the equipment,” explains Vandevoorde.

Further, PFSCM Logistics Specialist Edwin Ishimwe explains that the procurement and delivery of capital equipment require detailed planning, coordination, and communication across many stakeholders, including the buyer, the end user, the supplier, and shipping and clearing agents. 

“PFSCM engages extensively with stakeholders to oversee the supply chain execution for capital equipment projects. Depending on the client’s needs and the product involved, we procure directly from manufacturers or may enlist their authorized distributors where feasible. We evaluate the order to determine the most appropriate incoterms and may support the end user in preparing the installation sites.”

Ishimwe adds that this supply chain planning may result in some stakeholders being responsible for specific supply chain processes. 

“For the Senegal orders, PFSCM was responsible for transactional procurement, fulfillment, and financial management and negotiated the order and services with the supplier. The supplier was responsible for production, delivery, installation, and training and will support ongoing maintenance and warranties.”

Meanwhile, Vandevoorde notes that PFSCM’s wide and diverse supplier base brings valuable private sector expertise to the global health development community.

“We could rely on our supplier for the smooth execution of the logistics and installation despite the challenging environment and complex importation process. Having partners that can uphold high standards helps drive efficiencies and reduces risks,” concludes Vandevoorde.